HUNTSVILLE – Sam Houston State head coach Brandt Kieschnick announced Friday the signing of five National Letters of Intent for the 2019-20 academic year. The Kats will add Texas natives Leah Alberto, Madison Freeman and Anna Takahashi while bringing on international signees Zulaikah Nurziana Nasser and Viera Permata Rosada.

“We are blessed to have these great players join us and thankful for their commitment to our program,” Kieschnick and associate coach Tommy Chain said. “These young women are a great fit for our model of hard work, humility, and passion to be the best. This group of players will come and make an immediate impact to an already talented team and help us continue to win championships.”

>> Leah Alberto – Kingwood Park HS, Kingwood, Texas

Won 2017 Great Houston City Match-Play Junior Championship … Ranked No. 14 in Texas for the class of 2019 … Second at 2018 STPGA Spring Break Classic firing 76-75 … Finished third at the 2018 Texas Junior Amateur with rounds of 71-72-72 … Finished third at the 2018 Legends Junior Tour Flodder Financial after finishing with rounds of 74 and 79 … Took fourth at the 2017 Texas State Junior firing 74-70-69 … Won the final high school event of her career in the fall of 2018 at Deer Park Battleground Championship with rounds of 70 and 71 (-3) … Alberto will graduate early in December of 2018 and will join the Bearkat golf team in January 2019 … Her sister, Hanna Alberto, is a current member of the Bearkat golf team.

Coach Kieschnick and Coach Chain:

“We are so excited to have Leah join us in January. We love the Alberto family and they have raised great daughters who strive to win and work hard to be the best. It is going to be a huge asset to have Leah join us in January and compete with this talented team.”

>> Zulaikah Nurziana Nasser – Wilayah Persekutuan, Kuala Lumpur

Competed in the 2017 Sime Darby LPGA Tour event at TPC Kuala Lumpur and became the youngest female to qualify for the event at age 14 … 2017 Malaysian Junior Female Golfer of the Year … Won the 2017 Malaysian Junior Tournament of Champions with rounds of 80-76-70 … Finished second at the 2017 Perak Amateur Open firing rounds of 71-70-77 … Took second at the 2017 Sarawak Amateur with rounds of 79-73-76 … Finished fourth at the 2018 Sarawak Amateur and Fifth at the 2018 FCG International Junior Championship … Finished fifth at the 2018 Perak Amateur Open.

Coach Kieschnick and Coach Chain:

“Zulaikah has an impeccable junior career. We love that she has already played in an LPGA Tour event at a young age and that experience has helped her win some big events. We watched her this summer and loved her consistency from tee to green and were very impressed with her short game. She will come in and make an immediate impact.”

“Viera has played at a high level and has the type of game that fits well here at Sam Houston. She is one of Indonesia’s best juniors and her consistency will help us win championships. Viera had a fantastic 2018 at home and in the United States as well proving that she can play on the big stage all around the world.”

>> Anna Takahashi – Grapevine HS, Grapevine, Texas

Ranked eighth in Texas for the class of 2019 … Won the 2018 NTPGA Lone Star Classic firing 76-73 … Won the 2017 TJGT Traditions Fall Invitational with rounds of 71-72 … Took third at the 2017 AJGA St. Francisville Area Foundation firing 73-73-38 … Finished fourth at the 2018 AJGA Gary Woodland Junior with rounds of 75-71-83 … Took sixth at the 2018 NTPGA Summer Kickoff firing 79-69 … Placed 13th at the 2018 AJGA Folds of Honor Junior with rounds of 74-70-78 ... Took 15th at the 2018 AJGA Hunter Mahan Junior firing 73-77.

Coach Kieschnick and Coach Chain:

“Along with Leah, Anna is one of the top recruits in Texas and we always want to get the best juniors in our state. Anna has, like our other recruits, a positive attitude and strong work ethic. She has played well at the National level and almost won her 1st AJGA event this summer in Kansas. We look forward to her joining us and helping us win championships.”

“Madison comes to us very under the radar and a very solid talent in the Houston area. She has some power in her game and has played well in some good events. Her strong work ethic will fit well here and we look forward to having her join our program!”

Coming Up Next

The Bearkats will return to action Feb. 11-12 at the Texas State Invitational in Kyle, Texas. For all the latest information on the Sam Houston State women’s golf team, visit gobearkats.com or follow @BearkatsWGolf on Twitter.